The Nigerian Government has signed an agreement with International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) for a three-year collaborative programme to make its country a leading groundnut exporter. Speaking at the 40th anniversary science symposium of the ICRISAT here last night, Nigerian Agriculture Minister Akinwumi Ayodeji said the programme hoped to replicate ICRISAT’s success in Malawi by re-entering the European groundnut export markets through low-cost aflatoxin test kits, in reviving Nigeria’s groundnut pyramid. Appreciating ICRISAT in helping Africa and the developing world through its research for development work, the Nigerian Minister said ICRISAT’s research work had made semi-arid Ethiopia a major exporter of chick peas, revolutionised food production through large-seeded pigeon pea varieties in Tanzania, improved yields through disease-resistant groundnut in Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia and Mozambique. ICRISAT Director General William Dar expressed commitment to collaborate with Nigeria in increasing productivity and sustainability of groundnut and sorghum-based systems in the country. UNI
